New Delhi: In a cautionary statement, the Delhi Ophthalmological Society’s doctors have urged patients with eye diseases to be cautious about treatments advertised as traditional medicine. The society emphasizes the importance of consulting certified ophthalmic consultants and following evidence-based practices in modern medicine.
Dr. J S Bhalla, a senior consultant eye surgeon at DDU Hospital and Secretary of the Delhi Ophthalmological Society, expressed concern over a surge in advertisements promoting unscientific treatment modalities for eye diseases. He stressed the need to rely on validated, evidence-based practices rather than succumbing to antiquated beliefs.
While acknowledging the contributions of Ayurvedic drugs/science to human health, Bhalla clarified that modern medicine is not opposed to traditional systems but is against anything unscientific, pseudoscientific, or rooted in faith.
False and misleading claims, such as a single type of eye drops curing various eye diseases, are causing patients to abandon established treatments, leading to severe consequences, Bhalla warned.
Dr. KPS Malik, former Deputy DGHS in the Union Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of creating awareness and discouraging the promotion of extraordinary claims without scientific evidence. He clarified that conditions like cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy, and eye cancer require scientific treatments and cannot be cured by unverified methods.
Dr. Jolly Rohatgi, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at GTB Hospital, added that not using spectacles or contact lenses for vision issues can lead to “Lazy Eye” (Amblyopia) or squint, emphasizing the need for caution against discarding prescribed eyewear in favor of unverified miracle drugs or eye drops.
